Canton High grad carves out compelling career in Hollywood
Ryan Schwinke, a 2012 graduate of Canton High School, is an editor for MOCEAN, a company that, among other things, produces trailers for a roster of clients that includes Netflix and Disney.
From his technology-loaded workspace inside Los Angeles-based MOCEAN’s creative studios, Canton High School graduate Ryan Schwinke’s innovative work may influence how you spend a few hours of your time next weekend.
Schwinke, a native of Plymouth who graduated from Canton in 2012, is a widely-respected editor of trailers and teasers for movies and streaming shows in Hollywood.
“A lot of people decide whether or not they’re going to watch a show or a movie based on the trailer or promo they see,” said Schwinke, “so there’s some pressure on me and my colleagues to make sure the trailer resonates with audiences.”
Based on the popularity of several movies and streaming shows Schwinke has helped promote with his creative magic — two of the more recent trailers he edited for MOCEAN are Netflix’s “The Madness” and Disney’s “Star Wars: Andor Season 2” — the P-CEP graduate’s work is resonating quite nicely with the general public.
Trailer treasures
Schwinke’s days are spent watching shows and movies, and meticulously targeting brief, couple-seconds-or-so scenes that he strings together to produce compelling promotional pieces.
The process requires a combination of next-level creativity, a sharp eye for entertainment value, supreme organizational skills and patience.
Every above-listed asset is vital considering there are potentially millions of box-office or streaming dollars on the line for the entertainment companies that produce the shows.
“I’ll watch the show and then break it down to find the right scenes,” Schwinke explained. “Once I’ve completed the first draft, there are multiple levels of the approval process.
“It usually takes a week or two to complete a trailer or promo, depending on the client. I’m usually working on multiple projects at once, so I’m never not busy.
“I’m trying to condense hours of a show into a two-minute trailer, making it as entertaining as possible without giving away too much of the plot. It’s tricky, but it’s always satisfying to see the final product.”
Marvelous milestones
Schwinke’s job and life have changed dramatically since he moved to Los Angeles just a few weeks after earning his bachelor’s degree in media and information from Michigan State University in 2016.
He has been promoted from assistant editor to editor, a reflection of the respect he’s earned from his bosses.
“Obviously, there are a lot more streaming shows now (than in 2016) and fewer movies,” he said, when asked about how Hollywood has changed over the past nine years. “I think people’s attention spans have gotten shorter over time, which is why we need to keep each clip we use in the promos brief, but at the same time riveting.”
On a personal note, in 2024 Schwinke married Molly Ellsworth, a native of Iowa who Schwinke met at a New Year’s Eve Party in Chicago.
“When we met, I lived in Los Angeles and Molly lived in Chicago, so, thankfully, we were able to overcome the obstacles the distance presented,” Schwinke said.
“Love conquered all,” he added, smiling.
And, yes, the Schwinke-produced short film showcasing highlights from the wedding weekend is as captivating as one of the groom’s trailers.
L.A. is nice, but ‘doesn’t feel like home’
Schwinke has adjusted nicely to the hustle and bustle that comes with living in Los Angeles.
Schwinke said he and Molly weren’t directly impacted by the deadly and destructive wildfires that decimated parts of southern California in January, but he said they were often reminded in the days after the fires spread how close they were to a generational natural disaster.
“Wind-blown ash from the fires would land on our cars and balcony,” he said, explaining his home’s proximity to the fires. “And I know people who lost their homes.
“We were fortunate we live five or six miles from where most of the destruction happened.”
His Hollywood dreams became reality
Before Hollywood and MSU (where his work was featured on Fox Sports Detroit’s “Spartan Football All Access” show), Schwinke’s entertainment-creating roots were embedded in the Plymouth-Canton community.
Among the educators who inspired him the most is Janet Sutherland, a P-CCS visual arts instructor, who Schwinke asserted was one of his biggest influencers in high school.
“I’m not surprised at all by his success,” said Sutherland, who had Schwinke in classes beginning his sophomore year. “Ryan knew from the time he was in 10th grade what he wanted to do and he was very focused to reach his goals.
“I think two of the things that make Ryan so successful are that he gets along with everybody and he has a great sense of humor. He’s truly a student of his craft.”
On a personal note …
I was fortunate enough to be a benefactor of Schwinke’s stellar talent when he offered to shoot and edit sports videos for my website PlymouthCantonSports.com in 2010.
After viewing a handful of his two-minute-ish YouTube sports reels that ran on my website, one thought immediately entered my mind: This kid is going to end up in Hollywood.
Six years later, he proved me right — and he has flourished in the ultra-demanding entertainment industry ever since.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
